Centara Karon Resort, Thailand Review

Centara Karon Resort

was a perfect choice for our family holiday. It offers a traditional experience with a touch of luxury.We had requested an interconnecting room for us and our two children, 10 & 12 yrs old, which we were allocated around the Tropical Pool.

Rooms

The rooms were traditionally decorated, which we love.They are a good size with a King bed in our room and 2 x Queen beds in the kids room,the beds were very comfortable and each had 4 pillows to choose from.There was plenty of closet space, a good sized balcony overlooking the pool and a lovely bathroom with large bath, shower and lots of counter space.

We were on the 3rd floor (highest), there was a lift if needed, but everyone used the stairs to walk off breakfast.

The Resort

The Resort grounds are lovely with well kept tropical gardens, open spaces and hummocks to relax in.There are 2 restaurants to choose from for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lotus and Azure.Both are lovely locations and offer a relaxed atmosphere. The staff were all very polite and happy.

Centara Bhat Bonanza: Centara offers a credit initiative that you can accept within 24hrs of arrival, if you pay 10,000 Bhat (AUD440) they will add 5000 Bhat (AUD220) for free to spend in the resort.

We shared lunch around the pool 7 of 9 days with a couple of beers or cocktails + one Traditional Thai Dinner and show for 4 and spent THB 11,500.We will purchase it next time.

Breakfast

I would highly recommend including the Buffet Breakfast in your booking.The Breakfast was amazing!There were options for Asian, European, American, Continental breakfasts.There were Omelettes and eggs made to order, multiple fresh fruit options including exotic asian fruits, yoghurt choices,danishes, pancakes, noodles, stir fry’s, curry’s, create-your-own noodles and soup and so on.Highly recommended.

Pools

There are 3 pools:

Lagoon Pool in the middle offers 2 slides, rock tunnels and shallow sections for smaller children.This is a good option for families of younger children, 0-10 yrs.Azure restaurant is right next to the pool and most of the kids activities happen around this pool.

Tropical Pool is bigger and open, this pool suited older families with kids happy to throw the ball with parents or float on a lilo, good for children 10yrs+.This pool is also a much quieter option and usually with more relaxed music playing.

Tower Pool is the Adults Only pool near the front of the resort, lovely, quiet and relaxing!

All pools have Swim-up pool bars and offer menu service throughout the day for pool side dining.

Happy hour is 4-5pm for 2 for 1 drinks at all pools.

Kids

There is a kids club in the resort which is free for the first 3 hours each day and then 100 Bhat per child/hour after that (AUD4).They offer movies and games, painting, language lessons, Thai Boxing training, Silk painting, soccer, basket ball and so on.Activities change daily and are mostly free of charge.There are a group of Activities coordinators working in the resort, they organise the games and sports each day.They come around each morning to let the kids know what is on for that day, they are all young, fun and the kids loved them.

Activities

Centara offers many daily and weekly activities for their guests.We joined the Traditional Thai night with Thai Boxing display and Thai dancing with traditional Thai dinner.The food was lovely, the dancing was great to watch and the kids really enjoyed the culture.This was 660 Bhat per adult and half price for children 12 and under (AUD25/Ad).

There were Thai cooking classes, free aqua yoga in the Tropical pool, Wake up Yoga each morning, A South American night for 550 Bhat/adult (AUD22/Ad).

The Street Food Night was a highlight, set up out the front of the resort, it offered all the traditional street food, live music, fairy lights and kids disco with activity coordinators.

Location

Centara Karon is in a great location, only 5min walk to the beach if you can tear yourself away from the pools.Right outside the resort gate is a thriving street life with many restaurants, Tailors, Tour and activity desks, small grocery stores, Massage pallors, bars, ATMS, money exchange, and traditional street vendors. Our kids loved the Ice cream rolls and Banana pancakes for desert on the way home each night.

About Author

Kirsten

I have always loved travelling, as a child, as a couple and now as a family. The excitement of visiting a new destination, or revisiting a favourite, offers many amazing experiences and memories. As a family travel brings us closer together, it is exciting and easy to travel with kids.